Mahendra Prasad @ Narendra Prasad @ Narender v. State Of West Bengal

13.01.2021 Item No.23 Ct.No.28 Subha rejected C.R.M. 218 of 2021 (Via Video Conference) Mahendra Prasad @ Narendra Prasad @ Narender -vsThe State of West Bengal In Re: An application for bail under Section 439 Cr.P.C in connection with STF P.S. Case No.25 of 2018 dated December 15, 2018 under Sections 120B/489B/489C of the Indian Penal Code(Sessions Case No.13/2019).

Mr. Satyendra Kumar Rai ... For the Petitioner.

Mr. Rudradipta Nandy ... For the State.

The learned advocate appearing for the petitioner is aggrieved by the fact that the petitioner is in custody since December 15, 2018.

It is the further submission of the learned advocate for the petitioner that even the evidence of prosecution witness no.1 is not complete, although charge was framed on July 4, 2019.

Learned advocate for the petitioner additionally submits that two of the other accused persons have already pleaded guilty and have been convicted.

Mr. Nandy, learned advocate appearing for the State opposes the prayer for bail and draws the attention of

this Court to the seizure list. The seizure list reflects that about 100 counterfeit notes of Rs.2000/- denomination were seized from the possession of the present petitioner. We appreciate the anxiety of the learned advocate for the petitioner that he is in custody for a considerable period of time, but at the same time for a substantial period due to reasons beyond control, no evidence could be conducted by the trial court for a considerable period of time is also to be considered by this Court.

Having regard to the materials available before this Court, we are of the opinion that the petitioner is not entitled to be released on bail at this stage.

Accordingly, the prayer for bail of the petitioner is rejected.

We have been informed that the next date is fixed on 18th February, 2021. The learned trial court should fix schedule of at least three dates in a month on and from the next date so fixed. Further, efforts must be taken up by the learned trial court so that within a reasonable period of time the case can be taken to its logical conclusion. The application for bail being CRM 218 of 2021 is, accordingly, disposed of.

(Tirthankar Ghosh, J.) (Tapabrata Chakraborty, J.)